Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., first resided in Cheyne Walk, but afterwards removed to the spacious house at the western corner of Beaufort Street, fronting the river. He was a very great benefactor to the parish, an active and intelligent magistrate, and interested himself in promoting at all times whatever was conducive to the welfare and improvement of Chelsea. He was treasurer of the Parish Schools for many years, and, in 1818, through his indefatigable exertions, he succeeded in nearly doubling the number of children that had attended them, and who were clothed and educated free of expense to their parents. Towards the close of his life he went to Brighton, where he remained till his death, which occurred about 1860. His munificent annual gifts to the poor of this parish, as bequeathed in his will, but which he desired to be at once carried into effect, during his remaining days, will cause his memory to be revered in this parish by all future generations. Mr. Flood possessed some valuable pictures by the most eminent Masters.
Charles Hatchett, Esq., resided in the adjoining house, known as Belle Vue House. It was built by his father, in 1771. In it was a small but choice collection of pictures, amongst which were two landscapes, by Salvator Rosa; a Madonna and Child, by Andrea del Sarto; a beautiful small landscape, by Van Goen; another by Ferg, and a large one by George Barrett, R.A., with cattle, by the elder Mr. Gilpin. A very excellent portrait of Mrs. Hatchett, by Gainsborough; and a picture, supposed to be by Giovanni Bellini, the subject “a Dead Christ and Holy Family.” The library was very extensive, containing many valuable editions of the Greek and Latin Classics, a numerous series of historical works, and the voluminous Transactions and Memoirs of the Royal Society. The collection of manuscript and printed music was also very considerable. Mr. Hatchett was the author of several works on chemical science, and was a magistrate for the county. He contributed to most of the local charities, and as a private gentleman was much respected. He died in 1846, at an advanced age.
Lindsey House, the Moravians, &c.
This ancient mansion stands also in front of the river, and adjoined Sir Thomas More’s. It was erected by the Earl of Lindsey, in the reign of Charles II., on the site of a house originally built by Sir Theodore Mayerne, an eminent physician, and the only instance on record of a physician who was retained in that character by four kings. He lived many years in Chelsea, and died here at the age of 82. At his death, Robert, Earl of Lindsey, purchased the house, which he pulled down, and erected the present edifice; it has, however, undergone great alterations by subsequent proprietors, and is now divided into five houses. The Earl of Lindsey died in 1701, but his widow resided here till 1705. In the same year Lindsey House was occupied by Ursula, Countess Dowager of Plymouth, and by her son, Lord Windsor. It was afterwards in the possession of Francis, Lord Conway, the second son of Sir E. Seymour, who was created a peer in 1703. By his third wife, Charlotte, sister to Lady Walpole, he had Francis, Marquis of Hertford, who was born at Chelsea in 1718. The house continued in the Ancaster family till 1750, when it was purchased for the Moravian Society.
Count Zinzendorf, who was the purchaser, formed an intention of establishing a settlement at Chelsea for the Moravians, and took a plot of ground to erect a large building for the reception of three hundred families, to carry on a manufactory; and, besides possessing Lindsey House, he also purchased a piece of ground, part of the gardens of Beaufort House, for a burial ground, together with the stables belonging to that old mansion, and likewise a slip of ground to erect a chapel. The chapel was fitted up, but the settlement, which was to be called Sharon, failed. The house was, however, inhabited by some of the society. Count Zinzendorf himself lived there, and presided over the community as long as he dwelt in England. In 1754 an English provincial Synod was held here, at which the minister of the brethren’s church at London, John Gambold, a divine greatly esteemed for his piety and learning by several English bishops, who were his cotemporaries at Oxford, was consecrated a bishop of the church of the brethren; he had previously published a hymn book for the children belonging to the brethren’s congregation, printed entirely with his own hands at Lindsey House. The inmates of the house consisted chiefly of Germans and missionaries, for whose use the Count principally intended the establishment, that they might make it a sort of caravansera or resting place when they arrived in this country, in passing to or from their various missionary establishments in the British dominions. The panels of the great staircase, being wainscotted, were painted by Haidt, a celebrated German artist; there were also in the house several admirable portraits. The house was sold by the society in 1770. There has not been any other settlement for the Moravians since that period. Their church is episcopal and has been acknowledged as such by Parliament. They live, in their settlements, like members of one large family; the most perfect harmony prevails amongst them, and they seem to have but one wish at heart, the propagation of the Gospel and the general good of mankind.
The Moravian Burial Ground, the entrance to which is at the north end of Milman’s Row, occupies about two acres of ground. The whole is divided into four distinct compartments. The brethren are buried in separate divisions from those of the sisters; for, as in their public assemblies, they still adhere to the ancient custom of separating the sexes, the men occupying one, and the women the other side of the chapel, so they retain it even in their burying ground. The tomb-stones are all flat, placed on turf, raised about six inches above the ground, in regular rows. The inscriptions in general record only the names and age of the persons interred. Amongst them are the following:—
William Hammond, 1783, formerly a clergyman of the Church of England; he was of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was the author of a book, entitled, “The Marrow of the Gospel,” being the substance of some sermons preached before the University. He was a man of considerable learning, and an excellent Greek scholar, in which language he wrote his own life. The late Rev. Mr. La Trobe had the manuscript in his possession some years ago.
James Fraser, aged 63, 1808, who made fifty-six voyages between England and Labrador, in the service of the Moravian Missions on that coast.
James Hutton, 1795, of whom there is an engraved portrait in mezzotinto, with a trumpet to his ear. This worthy and well-known character was accustomed to pay morning visits to some of the first families in Chelsea; he used likewise to seek out objects that were in distress, and relieved them according to their necessities. The character of Albany, in Miss Burney’s celebrated novel of Cecilia, is said to be meant for his portrait. He died in the 80th year of his age.
The Rev. C. J. La Trobe succeeded him as secretary to the brethren.